Counterfeit Hero

New Era 2063. The war that erupted in the Southeast Star Domain has already swept through the entire human society.

The smoke-filled planets, the charging Mechas; the fleets navigating space like hedgehogs, the coordinated and dazzling volleys, and the boundless, silent debris floating in the void—these scenes have become the main theme of this era.

One immigrant planet after another is ignited by the flames of war. The youth are organized, donned in military uniforms, and sent to the battlefield, wave after wave heading to the front lines. Most of them perish in battle and are buried on the spot. The few fortunate ones survive the fights and gain promotion.

The even luckier ones are honored with titles such as Genius Commander, Lonely Hero, and Legendary Figure, beginning to shine. Their photos flood every television screen, every newspaper, every magazine. Their stories are told and retold to no end.

They are the stars of this era, the dream lovers of every young girl.

They appear one after another, yet are soon forgotten one after another.

How many can continue their victories repeatedly, and how many can survive this unending war?

Cruel war can erase many things. Including human life, including human memory, and also the dream a girl in a refugee camp had before being displaced and losing everything.

The Leray Capital Star, the capital city of Ludelit, has now become a giant military camp.

Looking around the streets, countless military vehicles, Mechas, running officers, and squads of soldiers can be seen. Cadets from major military academies have been drafted into active duty. Factories are working overtime to produce everything needed for the war.

Rows of makeshift barracks extend endlessly in the suburbs of the city. During the day, the shouts and whistles of training and mobilization are ceaseless. At dusk, the lights of the barracks are like a vast sea, stretching beyond sight. To prepare for the imminent hard battle, all units that can gather have already gathered here.

Every day, countless transport ships take off and land in Ludelit.

Newly produced weapons, ship parts, and countless supplies of clothing, energy, food, and more are delivered here ship after ship, striving to meet the consumption of the vast stationed army.

Besides soldiers, there are even more refugees.

Tents are set up on the street corners and under bridges. The refugee camps are already overcrowded.

Millions of refugees from the Galileo Star System and the Bermuda Star System fill every corner of Ludelit. Their eyes are vacant, and they look emaciated. Every day they lie in their tents, staring blankly at the soldiers passing by on the streets, waiting for the government’s food trucks, flipping through calendars to eke out a living. Otherwise, they simply wipe their tears over and over; with their homes shattered, families broken up, and lives lost, their days have lost all flavor.

In the face of pain, all happiness is but an illusion.

Who still remembers those victories over the past three years, who still remembers what those heroes looked like?

Recruitment ads with Tian Xingjian’s photo are no longer to be seen.

Perhaps it was intentional by the Command Department, or perhaps the current situation leaves people with no time to think about anything else. In any case, this Federation Hero has faded from people’s minds. The miraculous victories he brought now seem as distant as dreams.

People, numb and emotionless, think of nothing. Those who still have some spirit are completely engrossed in the severe news coming from the front lines.

Even if they occasionally think of Fatty, they soon forget amidst the worries and exhaustion of their harsh lives. They have no time to care.

The heroes have vanished. Leray is at the end of its rope.

The Jiepeng people and Desic people have been gathering outside the Jump Point for a long time. It will be an extremely large army, ready at any moment to rush into the Central Leray Star Domain, land in Ludelit, and completely conquer this nation.

What everyone is awaiting is no more than this conclusion.

The children of Leray have not disgraced themselves, but their sacrifices cannot bring final victory.

In the face of giant ships and Mechas, the once high-spirited Leray people have been worn down by brutal sacrifices.

As night falls, the army is still gathering and mobilizing, preparing for the final resistance. Yet, in a secret room in the capital, another voice speaks.

”...Hamilton must step down and atone for his crimes. If it weren’t for his reckless warfare, Leray wouldn’t have ended up in this situation,” said a gentle and elegant middle-aged man, glancing around as he concluded his speech.

”That’s right, we can’t let them mess up any further. If the Western Alliance launches a major attack, we will all have no place to be buried!” The Fatty next to the middle-aged man waved his ring-laden hands in frustration.

Following Fatty’s spirited outburst, the secret meeting room buzzed with discussion.

”Everyone here has a family, unlike those poor devils. The situation has come to this, if we don’t take action, we’re looking at being buried alongside Hamilton!”

”Although Bermuda has been occupied, the news coming back from there says that those installed by Jiepeng are living quite comfortably. They’ve already drafted plans, and soon, Bermuda will declare independence from the Federation. If we change course now, it’s still not too late, and the terms are generous!”

”The Western Alliance has already promised that if the Central Star Domain ceases armed resistance, the past will be forgiven. All they need is a passage. Even if they need some resources and manpower, it’s no big deal. To rule Leray, they still have to win us over. We cannot fight any longer; if they launch a full-scale attack, it will destroy everything!”